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Red River Overview:

Red River (1948) was a Western - Action Film directed by Howard Hawks and Arthur Rosson and produced by Howard Hawks and Charles K. Feldman.

The film was based on the serial novel The Chisholm Trail written by Borden Chase published in The Saturday Evening Post from Dec 7, 1946 - Jan 11, 1947.

SYNOPSIS

With Hawks's first Western he showed his mastery of the genre, producing an enduring classic that features one of Wayne's finest performances. Wayne splits from an ill-fated wagon train heading west, and steers toward Texas with his friend Brennan and a young Indian-attack survivor who grows up to be Clift. Wayne establishes the biggest spread in Texas, and runs it with the ruthlessness he showed in seizing the land. When he drives thousands of cattle north to Missouri, Wayne ignores the advice of his hands about the new Chisholm Trail, and runs the drive with an iron fist that leads to killings and mutiny. Clift finally establishes his own claim to the ranch's heritage by defying Wayne and heading to Kansas despite Wayne's threat to kill him. After a climactic brawl, Wayne acknowledges Clift's claim and the men are reconciled. A big, muscular drama with Clift's quiet steel making a nice contrast to Wayne's grit, and Brennan's comic turn adding a lighter note. The director's restored version contains eight minutes of previously excised footage.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Red River was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1990.

Academy Awards 1948 --- Ceremony Number 21 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Film EditingChristian NybyNominated
Best WritingBorden ChaseNominated
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Red River BlogHub Articles:

John Wayne and Montgomery Clift clash in Howard Hawks's "Red River"

By Stephen Reginald on Apr 24, 2023 From Classic Movie Man

John Wayne and Montgomery Clift clash in Howard Hawks's "Red River" Red River (1948) is an American western film directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, Walter Brennan, and Joanne Dru. The movie is based on The Chisholm Trail, first published in The Saturday Evening ... Read full article

PRIDE MONTH: John Ireland and Montgomery Clift in Red River (1948)

By Carol Martinheira on Jun 10, 2021 From The Old Hollywood Garden

PRIDE MONTH: John Ireland and Montgomery Clift in Red River (1948) On June 10, 2021 By CarolIn Uncategorized June is Pride Month and, like always, celebrations abound here at the Garden. And while I’ve already talked about some of the big ones, like Morocco (... Read full article

Review: Red River (1948)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 4, 2016 From 4 Star Films

Any conversation on quintessential American Westerns certainly has to at least consider Red River. It has genre mainstay John Wayne in one of his most stirring performances, a moody precursor to The Searchers. It boasts the debut of the often criminally under-appreciated method actor Monty Clift. Mo... Read full article

Review: Red River (1948)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 4, 2016 From 4 Star Films

Any conversation on quintessential American Westerns certainly has to at least consider Red River. It has genre mainstay John Wayne in one of his most stirring performances, a moody precursor to The Searchers. It boasts the debut of the often criminally under-appreciated method actor Monty Clift. Mo... Read full article

Red River (1948)

By Beatrice on Mar 28, 2015 From Flickers in Time

Red River Directed by Howard Hawks and Arthur Rossen Written by Borden Chase and Charles Schnee from a story by Chase 1948/USA Charles K. Feldman Group/Monterey Productions Repeat viewing/Netflix rental #217 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I find this to be two-thirds iconic cattle dri... Read full article

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Red River Quotes:

Nadine Groot: He didn't know about money, Matt. He never had none. He didn't know what to do.
Matt Garth: You mean he just doesn't know who to fight.
Nadine Groot: Yeah.
Matt Garth: Well that's all right.
Thomas Dunson: Who are you?
Cherry Valance: Some call me one thing, some another.
Thomas Dunson: What do they call you most?
Cherry Valance: By my name. Cherry Valance.
Mr. Melville: There's three times in a man's life when he has a right to yell at the moon: when he marries, when his children come, and... and when he finishes a job he had to be crazy to start.
Mr. Melville: There's three times in a man's life when he has a right to yell at the moon: when he marries, when his children come, and... and when he finishes a job he had to be crazy to start.
Matt, as a boy: How did you know when he was gonna draw?
Thomas Dunson: By watching his eyes. Remember that.
Matt, as a boy: I will.
Thomas Dunson: Get a shovel and my Bible. I'll read over him.
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Red River Facts
There was some concern that John Wayne and Montgomery Clift would not get along since they were diametrically opposed on all political issues, and both were outspoken on their views. According to legend they agreed not to discuss politics and the shooting went smoothly. However both Wayne and Walter Brennan would not get along with Clift since they were aware of his homosexuality, and they stayed away from the young actor when not filming. At one point Wayne tried to have Clift replaced when he heard that his co-star was having an affair with John Ireland. Clift later turned down Dean Martin's role in Rio Bravo because he did not want to be reunited with those two actors.
The role of Tess Millay was intended for Margaret Sheridan but she became pregnant shortly before filming. Instead she suggested her friend Joanne Dru for the role.
Howard Hawks was distressed by John Ireland's unprofessional and lecherous behavior during filming, which were partially due to the actor's alcoholism. This contributed to Ireland's part, "Cherry Valance", being drastically reduced in the finished film. At one point, Cary Grant was in consideration for the part (he turned it down).
Upon completing this movie, Howard Hawks gave John Wayne a belt buckle that featured the Red River D logo (Wayne later wore this as part of his costume in El Dorado). Wayne later returned the favor and gave Hawks a twin buckle.
During production, many members of the cast and crew caught illnesses and injuries. Howard Hawks was hospitalized for several days after being stung by a centipede. John Wayne caught a severe cold. Joanne Dru suffered from influenza.
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